Group Therapy

What is Group Therapy?

Many people struggling with mental health issues are told to “go join a group” to help them with their symptoms. But what is group therapy really? Group therapy is meeting with other people who claim to struggle with the same issue, but can it actually help you? Well, as I said above, group therapy is when you meet with other people who have experienced something similar to what you may be struggling with, and it is guided by a trained therapist. You share about yourself, things you struggle with as well as things that you have learned, while receiving support from others.

Benefits of Group Therapy

While you may not receive the direct attention that you get in individual or couples therapy, there are other benefits to participating in group therapy. Group therapy tends to be more affordable than individual counseling, which can benefit those who are in a financial pinch. For those who are seeking help for something specific, groups can be specialized for topics like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more. In the group, the therapist will guide and facilitate communication between members to elicit empathy and support instead of blame and shame, which encourages healthy relationships with others. You can help others in the group by sharing your own ideas and providing active listening and your own therapeutic space. You have a safe space surrounded by others that support you to practice new skills or have difficult conversations.

Where to Find Groups?

Relationships with others can be very helpful during hard times and having community provides a greater network of relationships. This may be the greatest benefit of group therapy. Instead of one relationship with just the therapist, you get many relationships with the other members as well. If you are interested in group therapy, some places to start are counseling centers, treatment centers, churches, mental health agencies, and hospitals. We offer different types of groups at Finding Peace Counseling Center and you are welcome to email us at info@findingpeacecc.com for more information.

About the Author

John Loh is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at Finding Peace Counseling Center in The Woodlands, TX. John’s specialties includes men’s issues, anxiety disorders, and relationship issues, and he works with individuals, couples, and families.  For more information on group therapy options, contact Finding Peace Counseling Center today by calling 832-306-2969 or email info@findingpeacecc.com for more information. You can also schedule an appointment now by visiting the Finding Peace Counseling Center website.

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